Can’t Make It to the Dentist? How to Treat Dental Pain at Home

Whether it’s sharp shooting pain or a deep dull aching sensation that you’re experiencing in your mouth, dental pain is the worst. If you’re experiencing any signs or symptoms of dental pain but can’t make it to your dental office for a few days, here are 3 ways to help lessen the pain and make you feel comfortable until your appointment.

Ice

Dental pain typically comes with inflammation which can not only contribute to said pain but can also cause things such as sleeping or eating to be overall uncomfortable endeavers. In order to keep the swelling down, the best thing you can do for it is to ice it a few times a day–both morning and night. Make sure that you choose an ice solution that can easily conform to your face like a medical gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables— this will help to target all portions of the jaw that are inflamed. Keep the ice on your jaw for at least 15-20 minutes at a time.

Ibuprofen

If you’re like many people, the last thing you want to do is inject your body with a pain killer when you think you can just as easily cope with the pain. However, as a non-habit forming pain-killer and anti-inflammatory, Ibuprofen will not only help you feel more comfortable but it will help to reduce inflammation which can lead to infection. Depending on your weight and the severity of the pain, you can take anywhere from 400-800 milligrams of Ibuprofen per day.

Rest

If your body is trying to fight off some sort of dental infection, it is going to need all of the rest it can get. While you’re waiting to go to the dentist, try to avoid extreme workouts and instead opt for an evening on the couch watching your favorite movie. By giving your body the rest and relaxation it deserves, it can start to repair any oral problems and work to naturally fight off infection.